Solar Eclipse, April 1912 1912

Eugène Atget made this photograph in April 1912, capturing a moment in time through his lens. The way Atget plays with light and shadow really grabs me. It reminds me that artmaking is a process, a dance between intention and chance. You can almost feel the cool, cavernous space of the cathedral; the texture of the marble is so palpable. Look at how the light filters through the arches. It's like Atget's not just showing us a building but trying to capture the feeling of being there. It’s that kind of atmospheric quality that elevates the image beyond a simple record of a place. Atget’s work reminds me of some of the early modernist photographers. Like them, he's not just documenting, he's exploring how the camera can create a new way of seeing, revealing the beauty and mystery in the everyday. It’s a conversation that continues to this day, and I think that is beautiful.